RASHELLE CAREY/Sun-Gazette Edward A. Mann, state fire commissioner, offers advice to Clarkstown, Muncy Township and Pennsdale firefighters considering a merger of their fire companies.

PENNSDALE — State Fire Commissioner Edward A. Mann believes three volunteer fire services in eastern Lycoming County are closer than they may realize toward their stated goal of consolidation, but the devil may be in the details if they and local governing bodies aren’t versed in state law and fail to communicate. “You’re close to being consolidated with each other now,” he told about 35 people with Muncy, Muncy Township and Muncy Creek Township volunteer fire departments and local municipal leaders at the Pennsdale Civic Center on Monday night. The companies service communities such as Muncy, Pennsdale and Clarkstown and surrounding townships. They have volunteers who often are called on box alarms and summoned by dispatchers and chiefs to cross boundaries on medical and fire and rescue emergencies.